nomura

Windows 8 failing to stem post-PC tide, analyst says

Nomura Securities analyst Rick Sherlund, one of the longest tenured and most respected Microsoft watchers on Wall Street, believes Windows 8 has failed to slow the post-PC era march, where consumers opt for smartphones and tablets ahead of personal computers.

"The tide continues to go out on PC sales as consumers and emerging market users prefer tablets and smartphones to Windows based PCs," Sherlund wrote in a research note sent to investors this morning. "Windows 8 has failed to ebb the receding tide."

Microsoft investors had hoped that Windows 8, which launched last October, would give … Read more

Windows 8 off to an awkward start, Nomura says

The Windows 8 debut is off to an "awkward" start, Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund says, and that doesn't bode well for Microsoft's financial results.

Microsoft last month launched the newest version of its operating system, which incorporates more tablet-like features such as touch capabilities. The company is making a big bet with the new OS, counting on the software to help fend off competition from the iPad and other mobile devices. But there have been worries that Windows 8 demand is sluggish, with consumers instead opting for tablets.

Sherlund noted that PC vendors have been slow … Read more

Analyst: Samsung, Apple to top Nokia in smartphones

After holding the top spot in the global smartphone market for years, Nokia may soon lose its dominance to Samsung and Apple, according to an investors' note from Nomura Securities.

Sometime this quarter, the investment firm expects Samsung to grab first place, followed by Apple in second, a move that would shake up a landscape led by Nokia since 1996.

"We are forecasting that Samsung takes the No. 1 position in smartphones in Q2 (fractionally) and that it extends this lead in Q3," said Nomura. "This represents a significant turnaround from a 4.8 percent share in … Read more